“Embarking on a book-length project is like swimming across the Pacific,” says instructor Alison Luterman. “You definitely want a support team in a boat riding alongside you, with sandwiches and shark repellent."

Our class aims to be that support team. We will discuss breaking the task down into manageable pieces, rewarding ourselves for small accomplishments along the way, getting lost in the woods and finding our way out, and what to do when you become sick of your book project and decide it’s the worst idea anyone ever had. During class meetings, we’ll read work by other writers about how they managed their own epic book journeys, and we'll share excerpts of what we are working on and get feedback and support.

Alison Luterman has written two musicals and several full-length plays, as well as four books of poetry and an e-book of personal essays. She is well-acquainted with the ups and downs of long-haul projects, and believes that empathy, structure, and chocolate are all necessary ingredients for eventual success.

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Alison Luterman has been shamelessly telling tales from her own life ever since she could grip a sweaty pencil. She has published essays in The Sun, Modern Love, L.A. Review, Radiance, Response, The East Bay Express, The Boston Phoenix andSalon. She has also written an e-book of essays entitled Feral City, about midlife domestication, remarriage, and second chances (available from SheBooks). Alison is also the author of three books of poetry: The Largest Possible Life, See How We Almost Fly, and Desire Zoo. Last but not least, she writes plays, including Saying Kaddish With My Sister, Glitter and Spew, and a musical, The Chain.

Schedule

Saturday, March 30, 2:00pm-5:00pm

Saturday, May 11, 2:00pm-5:00pm

Saturday, June 8, 2:00pm-5:00pm

Reviews

Alison is exactly what I was looking for in a writing teacher. She made the classroom environment very “safe” for us as writers and readers. She gave us very solid, specific, yet kind, feedback. She encouraged everyone to participate, by being present and interested when others were talking.”

Kristy

Alison’s teaching style is a delight. She is informal and warm. She guides the group very well and presents a variety of opportunities for expression that certainly helped me grow. I am also touched by the intimacy that the group developed over time…thanks to Alison’s gentle, but firm guidance.